Thomas Foley: “Thank you very much, Mr. Putnam, and all the Members who have spoken on this critical issue tonight. I thank you. Most…”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Putnam, and all the Members who have spoken on this critical issue tonight. I thank you. Most of those supporting the drilling do not live in Florida. It is interesting, we haven't had many speakers from the Sunshine State who have said, let's go ahead and drill. And I think there is a reason for it. {time} 2045 Let me give you the statistics. NOAA, a very trusted agency, has said we are entering a 20-year cycle of heavy hurricane activity. Since 2004 there have been nine hurricanes that have hit the Gulf of Mexico. One of the reasons there has been a spike in energy prices is because most of it is located in the gulf, exactly where some proponents of drilling would have us build more drills. We simply do not need it. We do have to be more conservative in our approach to fuels and use alternative energy. Sticking pipes in the ground in Hurricane Alley is not a solution. So I would urge my colleagues to heed the warnings and advice of those who live in Florida and ask you to reject the notion that we should drill there. Support our amendment, support the amendment to strip this provision from the bill, and allow us to continue to talk and negotiate with those parties who are involved.”